Historical Manx tradition ’Hunt the Wren’ was celebrated around the island on Boxing Day.

Many people took part in the dancing tradition, which is based on folklore.

Groups took to the streets, beaches and fields in Douglas, Ramsey, St John’s, Port St Mary, Kirk Michael, Sulby and Ballaugh, where they formed a circle and danced around wren poles.

The practice dates back to pagan times and is based on the tale of a enchantress whose beauty put men under a spell which would lead them to harms way.

For this she was chased and transformed into a wren, known as ’the king of all birds’. As punishment for her actions, a wren is hunted every year on St Stephen’s Day (December 26).

A stuffed or fake wren is used in today’s customs.

To avoid ’bad luck’ all singing, dancing and hunting the wren must be over by noon.

After the Hunt the Wren celebrations, an annual cammag match followed at St John’s.